Gurgaon Police Book Pranit More and Himanshu Jangra Over Controversial Biryani Video

The Gurgaon Police on Tuesday registered a criminal case at the DLF Phase 2 Police Station against stand-up comedian Pranit More and web developer Himanshu Jangra. The action follows a controversial online video clip from a comedy show in Gurgaon, where the duo allegedly glorified sexual coercion and non-consensual conduct during a discussion about a "Rs 370 biryani" date.

The First Information Report (FIR) was lodged for several offences, including publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form, distribution and circulation of digital content, making statements conducing to public mischief, and sexual harassment by making sexually coloured remarks.

According to a Gurgaon Police spokesperson, legal notices have been issued to both More and Jangra to join the ongoing investigation, with further legal action to be taken in accordance with the law. Additionally, formal legal requests have been sent to relevant social media platforms to ensure the immediate removal of the controversial video content to prevent further circulation.

The controversy began after a video clip from a Gurgaon comedy show surfaced online. In the footage, Jangra recounted a date during which he spent Rs 370 on a plate of chicken biryani. He stated that when the woman subsequently asked him to drop her home, he sought sexual favours in return for the money he had spent. More, who was hosting the show, was seen laughing at and validating Jangra’s remarks.

The video drew intense backlash, leading the National Commission for Women (NCW) to take suo motu cognisance of the incident on June 11. NCW Chairperson Vijaya Rahatkar wrote to the Haryana Director General of Police (DGP) seeking an Action Taken Report within seven days.

In its statement, the NCW expressed grave concern over the normalisation of gender-based entitlement, stating that any attempt to portray sexual coercion, entitlement, or disrespect towards a woman's autonomy as humour is unacceptable and contrary to the principles of equality, dignity, and safety guaranteed to women.